'Backward classes comprise 44.16 pc of central govt workforce'

Backward classes comprise 44.16 per cent of the central government workforce, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that while there is 17.55 per cent representation of the Schedule Castes in central govermment jobs, Scheduled Tribes account for 8.37 per cent of such jobs and other backward classes (OBCs) comprise of 18.24 per cent of the entire workforce.

Athawale said that the data was based on the Department of Personnel and Training's annual report 2016-2017.

The data provided by the minister also states that out of the total employees working in in 'Group A' of the central government, 30 per cent are from the backward classes. In 'Group B', out of the total workforce, 35.41 per cent belong to the backward communities.

Similarly, 61.27 per cent of all 'safai karmacharis' (sanitation staff) employed by the central government are from the backward classes. SCs comprise 42.92 per cent, STs 6.05 per cent and OBCs 18.24 per cent of such workers, the minister said.

The Supreme Court has mandated that the total reservation for SC/ST and other backward classes or special categories should not exceed 50 per cent.